Best Ice Auger: Hand, Gas and Electric Compared

Short answer: the best ice auger is the one that fits how far you walk, how many holes you drill, and how thick the ice runs where you fish. A hand auger is light, quiet and has nothing to start. A gas auger is built for long days and thick hardwater. An electric cordless auger sits in the middle: no fuel, no pull cord, but it lives and dies by its battery. Match the type to your trips, then match the blade diameter to the fish and the rules where you fish.

We do not rank brands here. This guide covers the categories, what to look for, hole size rules, and blade care.

No ice is ever 100% safe. Check it yourself. An auger is also your thickness tool. The Minnesota DNR says to use a chisel, drill or auger to make a hole, drop a tape measure down until the hook catches the bottom of the ice, and read the thickness. Do it every time you move. See our ice thickness chart for what the numbers mean.

The three types

Hand auger

A hand auger is a crank, a shaft and blades. You turn it yourself.

• Good for: short walks, early season when the ice is thin, a backup in the truck, a sleeper house with a few holes.
• Watch for: it gets slow and tiring as ice gets thick. Drilling many holes by hand wears you out and you sweat, which is a problem in the cold.
• Upkeep: blades only. Nothing to start, nothing to freeze up.

Gas auger

A gas auger has a small engine on top of a drill unit.

• Good for: big groups, run-and-gun days, thick ice, lots of holes.
• Watch for: weight, fuel and oil mix, and cold starts. One maker's care page says to let the engine idle for one to two minutes on a cold start and to keep the fuel and oil ratio the engine maker calls for. Too much oil can make it smoke, run rough or not start.
• Never run it while you carry it to the next spot. The same page warns the throttle can engage the drill unit.

Electric (cordless) auger

An electric auger runs on a battery pack, either a dedicated powerhead or your own cordless drill with a drill adapter.

• Good for: quiet, no fumes, easy to store, and fine in a sleeper house or a wheelhouse where you want clean air.
• Watch for: battery life in the cold. Keep spare batteries warm inside your jacket and plan your holes. Check the maker's page for the drill sizes a powerhead can run. Some units pair only with certain drill units.
• Some makers list more than one blade size on the same powerhead. For example, one 40-volt model on its maker's page lists 8 inch and 10 inch drill sizes, and one 24-volt model lists an 8 inch drill. Specs change by season, so read the current maker page before you buy.

Blade diameter: what the size means

Blade diameter is the width of the hole you cut. Common sizes you will see on maker pages include 8 inch and 10 inch for powered units. Here is how to think about it:

• Smaller holes take less power and less open water to manage.
• Bigger holes take more power and give you more room to land a fish.
• Your rod and fish matter. A panfish hole does not need a pike-size opening.

Bigger blades need more power, so check what your powerhead or drill can turn.

Hole size rules

Some states cap hole size. Here is one we read directly:

• Wisconsin: under NR 20.11, no person may cut, use or maintain a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter or square for taking fish through the ice. The rule lists exceptions, including spearing fish in Lake Superior, sturgeon spearing, taking fish with dip nets and taking minnows with minnow traps. Read the full rule before you cut anything unusual.

We did not confirm hole size rules for Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, New York, Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont for this guide. Check your state DNR or DEC regulations booklet, and any special rules for the specific lake. Local rules and shelter requirements can differ from the statewide book.

A big open hole is also a hazard. Keep holes marked, and in the dark, a hole in a trail is a trap for a sled or a boot. Stay clear of pressure ridges and slush where the ice is weak, as covered in our pressure ridges, cracks and slush guide.

Blade care

Sharp blades cut clean. Dull blades cut slow, bind and wear you out. The maker care page we read gives a short checklist for both hand and power augers:

1. Keep the blade guard on whenever the auger is not in use.
2. After use, wipe the blades dry and spray a small amount of oil on the cutting edge.
3. Check and tighten blade screws before each use. Vibration can shake blades loose and you can lose one in the hole.
4. Avoid slamming the auger into the hole when it binds or cuts hard. Flighting and blades can get damaged.
5. Do not drill a partial hole and leave the auger standing. On a power auger, the weight of the powerhead can bend the drill unit and the auger can get stuck.

Dirt, sand and gravel dull blades fast. Brush off the bottom of the hole and keep the blades out of the mud when you set the auger down.

Gas auger off-season storage

The same maker page gives two ways to store a gas auger. Dry tank: run fresh fuel with stabilizer through the engine. Wet tank: fill the tank at least a quarter full with fresh, stabilized fuel and run the engine for 5 to 10 minutes. Store it with the drill attached and hung from a wall bracket. Follow your owner's manual so you keep the warranty.

Other gear that goes with the auger

An auger gets you a hole. You still need a skimmer to clear slush, a tape measure for thickness, and safety gear on your body: ice picks, a life jacket or floatation suit, and a rope. The Minnesota DNR safety gear page covers those basics. Check the ice with your auger before you walk, not after.

FAQ

What size ice auger should I buy?

It depends on the fish, the ice and the power. Powered units on maker pages commonly list 8 inch and 10 inch drill sizes. Smaller is faster and easier on a battery. Check your state's hole size rules first.

Is a gas or electric auger better?

Neither wins every time. Gas is built for long days and thick ice. Electric is quieter, has no fumes and nothing to start, but depends on battery life in the cold. Pick on your trips, not on a rating.

Is there a legal limit on ice fishing hole size?

In some states, yes. In Wisconsin, you may not cut or use a hole larger than 12 inches in diameter or square for taking fish through the ice, with listed exceptions. Check your own state and lake rules.

How do I keep auger blades sharp?

Keep the blade guard on, wipe the blades dry and oil the cutting edge after use, tighten blade screws before each trip, and keep dirt and gravel off them.

Can I use my auger to check ice thickness?

Yes. The Minnesota DNR says to drill a hole and measure with a tape measure that hooks the bottom of the ice. Measure often, since ice varies from spot to spot.